Introduction

Students who focus their academic studies in English or Comparative Literature examine literature from a variety of cultural and historical traditions, including literary studies, literary theory, creative writing, rhetorical studies and English education. Linguistics majors study the origins and development of language, how it is learned, stored in the brain and changes over time (See “Linguistics, B.A.” in the catalog for a description of the degree requirements).

Our major programs emphasize the production of academic, professional and creative writing, and the study of English and American literatures and intersecting countries across the globe. Courses examine the diverse ways in which writing and literature let us see the past, understand advanced rhetorical and linguistic techniques, and make sense of the world through narrative.

A major in English or Comparative Literature is suitable for students interested in any of the wide range of professions that expect excellence in reading and writing, including education, creative and professional writing, public service and preparation for further study in literature, law, medicine or business. The majors may be combined with preparation for elementary and secondary school teaching. In addition, they provide a foundation for students who intend to pursue advanced degrees in preparation for teaching at the college level.

Degree Descriptions

The Bachelor of Arts in Comparative Literature prepares students to enter professions that expect both a global outlook and excellence in reading and writing, including work in the fields of education, creative and professional writing, public service, law, medicine or business. In addition, it can provide a foundation for students who intend to pursue advanced degrees in preparation for teaching at the college level. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to examine the diverse ways in which writing and literature let us see the past, to compare literary and cultural traditions, to understand advanced rhetorical and linguistic techniques, and to make sense of the world through narrative and sophisticated theoretical perspectives.

The Bachelor of Arts in English prepares students to enter professions that expect excellence in reading and writing, including education, publishing, creative and professional writing, public service, law, medicine or business. The major may be combined with preparation for elementary and secondary school teaching. In addition, it can provide a foundation for students who intend to pursue advanced degrees in preparation for teaching at the college level. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to examine the diverse ways in which writing and literature let us see the past, to understand advanced rhetorical and linguistic techniques, and to make sense of the world through narrative.

The Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics is designed to provide students with a fundamental understanding of how language works. Specifically, the program develops knowledge of the structure of language, how children and adults learn language, how language is used in different types of discourse and texts, and how languages change over time. Through their studies, students come to appreciate what all languages share in common and in what ways they differ from each other. Because studying linguistics develops essential skills that have broad applications, the major provides excellent preparation for careers in fields, such as teaching, publishing and translating, and for advanced studies in humanities and law.

The Master’s degree program in English offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced work in the field of English by achieving a multifaceted understanding of literature and language. The curriculum is designed to prepare students to produce sophisticated analyses and interpretations of texts, master the techniques and conventions of writing, contribute to current scholarship through research, and develop the professional skills and practices necessary to pursue careers in a variety of fields. The degree is useful to those already teaching in high schools or interested in community college teaching, seeking careers in writing and publishing, and intending to pursue further graduate work.

The Master of Arts in Linguistics is designed to provide students with in-depth understanding of how language works. Specifically, the program develops knowledge of the structure of language, how children and adults learn language, how language is used in different types of discourse and texts, and how languages change over time. Through their studies, students come to appreciate what all languages share in common and in what ways they differ from each other. Because studying linguistics develops essential skills that have broad applications, the major provides excellent preparation for careers in fields, such as teaching, publishing, translating and for advanced studies in humanities and law.